East Peak Fire: some evacuations lifted

KUSA - Officials lifted some of the mandatory evacuations from the East Peak Fire Sunday evening.

Fire officials say the southern Colorado blaze is growing in hot, gusty weather and has destroyed some buildings.

The fire broke out Wednesday near LaVeta, Colorado, in Huerfano County. It has now burned 12,996 acres.

Fire officials say nine homes and four outbuildings have been lost.

Sunday night The Huerfano County Sheriff's Department began to let residents back into the Silver Spur Subdivision, Blackhawk Subdivision, and Riverridge Subdivision. Any homes south of these locations will also be allowed to return home. They are all still under pre-evacuation status.

Huajatolla is still in mandatory evacuation. Road blocks will be set up at County Road 340 (Bear Creek) and County Road 358 (Mesa Road) at County Road 330 (Ideal Road) and County Road 310 (Shultz Canyon) at County Road 312 above the Blackhawk entrance, and County Road 360 (Huajatolla Road) and County Road 362.

Blackhawk on the west of County Road 312 will not be allowed back in. Resident's will have to show I.D. at the check points to get home.

Evacuees are being directed to the open shelter at John Mall High School in Walsenburg. The Boy Scouts have all returned to their homes.

Numerous resources including air support have arrived to assist with suppression efforts. No injuries are reported at this time.